Stalking on the river!

Our walk on the Wye with Regular Rod, gave us an insight into the craft of creeping up on the fish. Spotting them before they spot us.
We had a beautiful summer evening to watch and listen to the secrets of catching these wild Wye fish. Knots, leaders, tippets, flies, all were discussed, examined and considered. So yes Richard, I have changed from a furled leader. As I don't yet have a range of weights of line, I halved an impossible for me to cast, 9 metre Camou Hends french leader. Yes, it does make less splash - and less spray on recasting. I still have to learn the 'grinner knot', but I have mastered the 'figure of eight'. I also discovered I can use a much shorter tippet with it too.
Thanks from all of us for an informative evening. We all came away having learned something to assist us in enjoying our fishing.
Though I missed seeing the kingfisher that flew past us during our walk, I saw it just the other morning. A great view of it flying past, showing not just the startling turquoise, but the orange too. Beautiful!
I have put a few more of my 'catching' flies on the 'River fly diary' page. I think I am getting them a little neater don't you think?

A walk on the Wye Friday the 12th July

We have another meeting of the Womens fly fishing group. This time it is to take a walk by the River Wye and observe all things concerning the river environment. Regular Rod, our Dry Fly Expert will be our guide for the evening. Meet Meaden Bridge, Bakewell 5.30 to 6pm

Spot the fish?

Six women go fly fishing. Also the barefoot fly tyer and the lawn mower in the lake

Sunday evening, 30th June 2013. The first meeting of the Womens Fly Fishing group took place at Press Manor Fishing Lakes. (We do need to find a name for the group)

AAPGAI instructor Peter Arfield of the Bakewell fly fishing shop gave us an excellent descriptive tour of the water. With advice on how to 'read the water', including surrounding bushes and trees checked out for insect life.
Here he is conducting the session. He is not turning his back on us to conduct an apparent orchestra in the reeds, but casting across the wind that is at his back!

+

The pond dipping was immediately encouraging for the fishing prospect, as Ange caught a stickleback! The other fish caught later, were very much larger.

The barefoot fly tyer

As we proceeded round the lake, with Peter discussing casting techniques, looking for drift lanes etc. he suddenly threw himself down on the ground, saying something had bitten his foot.

He proceeded to remove his boot, then ferret in his sock. Good heavens, what was it, that had gone so deeply into his boot?
Clearly, like many of us, Peter is an untidy fly tyer. The 'biting creature' was a deep gape (fortunately) barbless hook, scantily tied in pink. The barefoot fly tyer we presume!

The lawn mower in the Lake

Fly fishing is not just about the fishing. There are the insects that need to be observed. Reading the water. Working out wind direction. Learning to tie knots and maybe even flies. Leaders tapered or furled? So many things, as well as just enjoying the places that fly fishing take us.
But the lawn mower in the Lake is not likely to be repeated - at least not by Bernie Maher, the owner of Press Manor. It was out and up and running again when I arrived at the car park. Unfortunately the iPhone wasn't. Quite how the mower got in there I am not sure. And I wasn't about to ask him!

Thanks

A thank you to Bernie and Peter for their generous help and support in getting our fledgling group off the ground.